Stamford AFC Under 14 Girls are through to the final of the Lincolnshire County Cup
Stamford Under 14 Girls have reached the final of the Lincolnshire County Cup for the third successive season.
They set up a showdown at the MKN Stadium in Sleaford on April 27 after a 5-0 win away to Cleethorpes Town Tillets at the weekend.
Stamford started strongly, closing down the opposition and their efforts were soon rewarded after just two minutes with a strike from Nell Atkins, assisted by Niamh MacPhee.
Six minutes later, Atkins latched onto a pass by Georgia Cleathero and powered the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the Cleethorpes goal for her and Stamford's second.
Atkins missed out on a first half hat-trick when she was fouled just inside the box with only the keeper to beat.
This time it was MacPhee’s turn to get on the score sheet by calmly converting the resulting penalty.
Stamford continued to work hard and press the play and the pressure soon paid off again, Lucy Loades found Maisie Edwards with a defence splitting pass from deep and, with just the keeper to beat, Edwards made it four.
On the stroke of half-time, this time it was Atkins providing the assist from a well struck corner which was converted by Cleathero.
Cleethorpes started the second half strongly and created some good passages of play down the left and right, but this was calmly dealt with by the full backs Layla Williamson and Ruby James.
Isabella Young was holding the ball up well for Stamford, creating time and space for the midfield trio.
Rebecca Palmer nearly made it six with an excellent solo run into the box midway through the second half only to be denied by a last ditch tackle.
Other than this and two excellent saves from the Cleethorpes keeper, Stamford were unable to break down a more resilient and organised home defence in the second half.
With 15 minutes remaining, Stamford started to tire, however, Dot Norton and Mollie Bentham did an excellent job in securing the midfield, winning those important 50-50s and limiting any opportunity for the opposition.
Stamford's goalkeeper Willow Gaunt and the centre back pairing of Lucy Loades and Milly Talbot were able to keep another shut-out to maintain a 100 percent clean sheet record in this year's competition.
Stamford AFC Young Daniels Girls has grown over the last few years with around 100 girls registered across six age groups from Under 8s to Under 16s and creating a solid pathway towards the ladies' first team.
For further information on the girls' section, please email Stamfordafcgirls@gmail.com
